Today on CNN Newsroom
The latest news and information from around the world. Also connect with CNN through social media. We want to hear from you.
December 19th, 2013
06:34 PM ET
"Duck Dynasty" star's comments spark outrage and suspension
Brooke Baldwin sits down with a CNN panel including: Â Don Lemon, Marc Lamont Hill, and Ben Ferguson to discuss the "Duck Dynasty" star's controversial remarks on homosexuality and race.
On Twitter
Congratulations my friend @abbydphillip ! So proud. Great show! @IWMF @CNN @NABJ twitter.com/abbydphillip/s…
RT @CNNPolitics: Sen. Elizabeth Warren says that Kamala Harris' historic role as the nation's first female, Black and South Asian vice pres…
“We need accountability, accountability for Donald Trump and accountability for everyone who participated in that itwitter.com/i/web/status/1…CIi8
Sales drop at Trump businesses hit hard by pandemic, toxic image cnn.com/videos/busines…
Please join me in celebrating my longtime mentor & friend @IamSusanLTaylor 75th birthday! Support her amazing organâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…SN
Tell the Nutt's to stay away from Duck's...
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32 NKJV)
Phil Robertson was quoting the book of Romans chapter 1:18-32 in the Holy Bible. It's not as if he just thought this out of his own thinking. The reason why he "put homosexuality in the same category" as drunkards, back biters, people who practice beastiality, etc. is because it's all sinful to God in the Bible. If Phil believes the Bible as his authority then he's following and going off of what God's word says. Doesn't he have a right to his beliefs?
The issue here isn't freedom of speech, or religion, or bigotry. The issue is a business issue. Does A&E believe that it matters what content, even opinions and beliefs, are presented on its network? If Mr. Robertson's comments are damaging to their corporate interests and what they think is socially responsible to represent them then temporarily suspending him or even eventually 'firing' him is not just their right but as a corporation with financial responsibilities to its shareholders this may be legally necessary for them.
Mr. Robertson is not alone in his beliefs. One need look no further than the people who support his views around this pseudo-controversy. There is an abundance of unchristian christian attitudes and views presented in many context in the media, so maybe all A&E needs to do is put a disclaimer on before and after their show that state emphatically that the views and opinions of individuals on this show are not only not representative of A&E, but they actually believe that these views and opinions are obviously wrong, contrary to reasonable and informed attitudes, and distortions of the compassionate christian and other religious beliefs.
This could open the door for A&E to present all kinds of shows that debase, abuse and demonstrate hateful attitudes towards all kinds of people; perhaps a show about how stupid people are who live in isolated communities that do not accept the American values and social responsibilities that we should all expect of each other.
Using the Bible as an excuse to spew out vile and revolting speech is a pretty easy thing to do. After all, they stoned children to death and stoned little girls to death for being raped. They murdered entire tribes of people including every unborn child in sight. So yeah we have freedom of speech in this country. And A&E has this right too. They don't have to promote this vile and disgusting speech.
Does A&E have free speech?
When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)
However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. And if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter. If he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife. If he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment. (Exodus 21:7-11 NLT)
Phil Robertson, because he loves everyone and doesn't judge them for being who they are, is displaying stronger moral values than the god he professes to worship. It should be compulsory for christians to keep quiet about their mysterious god of judgements...just in case their god turns out to be a truly moral one and slaps them into eternal torture for causing his children to live in misery for being who he created. Seriously, if a human father would not sentence his own child to eternal torture for who he/she loves, why would an omnipotent father? It's ridiculous. Think about it.